Former Australia coach Justin Langer made excuses for his team’s loss in the Brisbane Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 series. Australia and India went into the series 1-1, thanks to India drawing the third Test in Sydney.

India was asked to chase a 329-run target in the fourth innings in Gabba, a venue where Australia has not lost a Test since 1988. However, Shubman Gill made 91, Cheteshwar Pujara hit a fifty, and Rishabh Pant played an all-time great knock of 89* to take India home with three wickets in hand and win the Test series 2-1.

Justin Langer described Pant as "fearless" for his heroics in the fourth Test and said it "reminded me of Ben Stokes' innings at Headingley in Ashes 2019."

“It was an amazing effort. (Rishabh) Pant’s innings somewhat reminded me of Ben Stokes’ innings in Headingley, actually. He came in; he was almost fearless, and he will be lauded because of it. It was an unbelievable innings,” Langer had said after the match.

Rishabh Pant is the captain, and Justin Langer is the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise in the IPL.

Langer was talking to Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad about the upcoming Ashes on Australian soil later this year. He spoke about Pant’s innings at the Gabba and undermined it by making excuses of Covid and a flat wicket.

"Brisbane was always a cauldron for us and has been for years. We lost to India a couple of Test series ago. Rishabh Pant played an incredible innings at the Gabba. But it was also the fourth Test during Covid, and it was the flattest wicket. That time of year in January was different from playing in November. We have lost that advantage," Langer said on the "For the Love of Cricket" podcast.

India became the first Asian team to beat Australia in Australia in a back-to-back Test series.